Tuesday, 23 August 2016

KZN Environmental Network concept note

KZN Environmental Network concept note

Many environmental and community groups in Kwa-Zulu Natal
(KZN) working on sustainable development and environmental justice issues and extend
to paper mills, petrochemical and chemical industries, mining, agriculture land
under sugar cane and timber plantations, big game parks, two major ports, big
transport infrastructure associated with the port, etc.

KZN Environmental groups and communities have been both unique and
tenacious in challenging both government and industry to address the inequities
of pollution and environmental injustice in the province and we have had many
successes to date.

To
achieve continued success we would like you to discuss and envision a KZN Environmental
network programme for 2016 and beyond to continue to build on these strong
foundations to build community activism that critiques industry and government
developments to secure livelihoods, social justice and a healthy environment
for the benefit of all people of KZN. The highlight for 2016 activities would
be to create awareness in a form of a rally.

We
hope to build upon the work KZN environmental NGOs and communities are already doing
with the aim of bringing KZN groups into a KZN Environmental Network with the
aim of deepening community participation in environmental governance and
advocacy in defence of people’s constitutional right. It will consolidate the
network of relationships that enable KZN environmental network to draw on
local, national and international resources and engage with complex and often
technical issues so as to present well-founded community perspectives to the
authorities and industry. In particular
the KZN environmental network will advocate for a different development path
that replaces fossil fuels with renewable energy, and that focuses on local
production for local consumption including in food and manufacturing.

Our 2015
programmes achieved much success with development and infrastructure, climate
change and energy, air quality and health and community empowerment. The KZN
environmental network group includes SDCEA, groundWork [Friends of the Earth
South Africa] , Earthlife Africa eThekwini ,Timberwatch , Biowatch SAFCIE ,
Greenpeace and other groups have been
active in raising awareness about environmental issues such as climate change,
which cuts across and connects many of the other issues such as air quality,
health, livelihoods, energy, development, etc. This has included numerous
workshops with schools and communities, tribunals, pickets, EIA appeals
highlighting the impacts of climate change.

Objective of a KZN Environmental Network:

Environmental
justice is effectively integrated within the development vision for KZN:

Aim: Strengthen Environmental network in KZN:
This project is centred on developing a strategy for greater collaboration and
more effective use of resources. Develop an environmental network group which
will comprise community members (specifically the youth), NGOs and community
leaders, in KwaZulu Natal, who will mobilize, advocate, network, share
experiences and knowledge with each other about pressing environmental issues.